Citrix eyes up mobile data marketplace with Bytemobile buy

7 Jun 2012

Klaus Oestermann, group vice-president and general manager of cloud networking at Citrix

Citrix Systems is to acquire Bytemobile, a privately held provider of data and video-optimisation solutions for mobile network operators, as it moves to gain traction in the mobile telecommunications space.

The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed, but the deal is expected to close during the third quarter of 2012.

Bytemobile itself has been around since 2000 when it was founded by Dr Constantine Polychronopoulos at the University of Illinois. Its HQ is in Santa Clara, California, and the company employs around 300 people.

Bytemobile has also had a customer support centre in Belfast since 2008. In terms of mobile video optimisation, the company has 50 global mobile network operators either deployed or under contract.

Regarding the acquisition, Citrix said it would give it a strategic foothold in the core infrastructure of more than 130 mobile operators in 60 countries around the world.

The enterprise software giant said it would enhance the broader Citrix strategy of powering mobile workstyles and cloud services.

Earlier this year, Citrix and Bytemobile had announced a partnership to deliver new solutions for the mobile data market using Citrix’s cloud networking solutions and Bytemobile’s smart capacity technology.

“The cloud and mobile revolutions are rapidly converging, and mobile operators are at the heart of this convergence,” said Klaus Oestermann, group vice-president and general manager of cloud networking at Citrix.

“The integration of Bytemobile will enable us to extend our value proposition to the edge of the network, bringing content closer to the end user,” he added.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

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